International Organizations and Behaviour of States (Essay Sample)

International Organizations and States Behaviour
Name
Institution
Introduction
The 21st century is a unique era in the history of humanity. The long held saying that the world is round is slowly becoming irrelevant; people now prefer to say that the world is flat. Communication is now easy courtesy of mobiles phones and other information technology equipments. The internet has broken all the communications barriers of the 20th century. Countries, business organizations, and individuals can now transact business across the globe without necessary having to involve any physical appearance. It is indeed a technologically advancing world. The political dimension is also changing with the whims of information technology.
Due to this increasing interconnectedness in the world, there has been a constant rise in the number of international organizations in different nations of the world. This is intended to promote communication, positive interactions and wellbeing of all states in the world. Consequently, the international organizations in any state have both positive and negative influence in the way different states behave (Rittberger, 2001). International organizations such the United Nations refugee agency has a lot of effects to countries. The international criminal court is also another institution, which affects the behaviour of different states, in trade. However, other international organizations such world food organization and the Red Cross assist nations in their daily endeavours. This discussion will then examine the extent to which various international organizations mentioned above inhibit or constrain the behaviour of different states across the globe. It will also offer a conclusion on the topic.
Discussion
The presence of international organizations, in different states in different parts of the world, is now a norm. This is because of the increasing interconnectedness of different states in the world as facilitated by technological advancements. The international organizations operating in different parts of the world are increasing depending on the purpose they serve. Majority of the international organizations are humanitarian; providing support to the vulnerable in society, and facilitating other important aspects such environmental preservation, enhancement of democracy and championing for peace. Some seek to promote ties among nations as well as improving the trade relations.
Clearly then, the range of international organizations present in the world today are for a good course. However, the fact that most of the international organizations are funded by powerful nations presents a twist to the intention of the International organizations. The United nations, which are the leading international organization with agencies in almost every part of the world, indeed affect the behaviour of nations (Mansbach & Rhodes, 2009). The ongoing crisis in Syria has made many Syrians to seek refuge in the neighbouring countries such turkey and Jordan. Turkey and Jordan are countries which have their own challenges and so the influx of refugees has intensified the situation. In the event that turkey of Syria feel constraint by the refugees may be after the war, the UNHRC presence will hinder them from acting independently. This is for a fact a constraint of the international organizations on states behaviour.
In relation to United Nation’s agencies in various parts of the world, the fact that all UN employees have immunity is another aspect which constraint states behaviour. In a normal democracy, the decision to deport expatriates who breaks the law lies with the state, but in the event that, a UN employee commits an offence, he or she will not be disciplined by the state in which he or she has committed the crime. Such a situation compromises the integrity of different states, and constrains its behaviour regarding dispensation of justice (Betsill & Correll, 2007).
The World Bank is also among international organizations, which affects various states’ behaviour. Being the leading financial institution which gives loans to states, the World Bank is present in all parts of the world today. States especially in the developing world need money from time to time to gather for deficits in their budget or to start development projects, and as such cannot avoid the World Bank. The World Bank on the other gives loans to various states with conditions. The conditions more often are meant to promote good governance and democracy among nations, but at the same time constrain the nations from acting in their own way. For instance, if a particular state is against homosexuals, the decision to ban it should lie squarely on its governances as it understands the foundations of its society. The intervention of the institution such as the World Bank in such matters indeed affects the normal behaviour or states. This can be serious in situations where a state, is under dire need, of funds to support its citizens (Mansbach & Rhodes, 2009).
The international criminal court is a court whose mandate transcends boundaries and regions. Its main function is to intervene in matters relating to violation of human rights by the political class. As it may at times happen if a country refuses to cooperate with the court, the international community imposes sanctions on such countries. This has political constraints on the way countries with issues with the court behave on other issues due to fear of being alienated by other countries in trade and aid.
Political science research and international relations studies confirm that international organizations have the potential of constraining states in the way they behave towards various issues. Democracy studies have it that the measure of democracy is in the way political positions are contested, and the way the electioneering process is conducted. It also mentions that all democratic states should be absolutely sovereign. As it has happen in different parts of the sub-Saharan Africa, the international organizations, which oversee elections, have always interfered with the process. More often, such organizations influence the voting patterns or agitate the removal of regimes seen to be against free and fair elections (Rittberger, 2001). Essentially, such events of the international organizations affect the way states behave.
However, it is also worth mentioning that international organization does not necessarily constraints states in the way they behave, for instance organizations such world food organization and Red Cross. The Red Cross for instance allow have...